No, that wasn’t a heat-induced illusion. There was, in fact, a herd of people dressed in white and adorned with bright red scarves running down Queen Anne hill on Saturday afternoon while several “bulls” gave chase all the way to Kerry Park. It was Queen Anne’s fifth annual Running of the Bulls, timed to the real Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Spain.
In this case, the bulls were just shopping carts with horns, swerving wildly on the street while runners bashed them with rolled up newspapers, many of whom hardened their consitution while pre-gaming at the Paragon Bar and Restaurant. The events’ origins can be traced to a group of people in the community whom, after witnessing the Running of the Bulls in Spain, wanted to put on something family friendly and fun, but with a hint of danger in it as well.
Make sure you check out the slideshow of the crazy race.
A “bull” charges toward several runners
Runners used newspaper to hit and weaken the bulls
A matador uses his cape to attract a bull
After the run, younger participants “kill” the shopping cart “bull”
Aaron Delp of Seattle dressed up and elegently walked from the bulls
The event ended in Kerry Park where refreshments were served
